City Nature Challenge: Uniting Urban and Wild Through Citizen Science

Timeline 2024

Event	Dates
Making Observations	April 26 to April 29, 2024
Upload and identify	April 30 to May 5, 2024
Results announced	May 6, 2024

 

Important Dates:

All observations made starting on April 26 at 12:00 AM local time and up until April 29 at 11:59 PM local time will count for the City Nature Challenge. It's important for participants to make their observations within this time-frame to ensure their contributions are included in the challenge.

In preparation for the upcoming City Nature Challenge in Mumbai, it's essential for participants to acquaint themselves with the guidelines and best practices that will ensure a successful and rewarding experience.

Participation Guidelines:

Familiarize Yourself with Local Flora and Fauna: Take some time to learn about the common plants, animals, and fungi found in your locality beforehand. This will help you identify and document them more accurately during the challenge.

Use the iNaturalist App: Make use of the iNaturalist app to record your observations. This helps in collecting valuable data for scientific research and conservation efforts. Visit to the iNaturalist website or install iNaturalist App from Google play store.

Pay Attention to Details: Take clear and detailed photos of the organisms you find. Focus on key features such as leaves, flowers, bark, and any distinguishing characteristics. Cover as many different angles in your observations.

Follow Safety Guidelines: Ensure your safety while exploring nature. Wear appropriate footwear and sun protection, and adhere to trail etiquettes. Stay on designated paths, watch out for hazards like snakes or thorny plants, and be mindful of your surroundings.

Etiquette and Conduct:

Respect Wildlife: While observing and documenting wildlife, avoid disturbing or harming them in any way. Maintain a respectful distance and refrain from touching or feeding animals.

Respect Private Property: Respect private property and obtain permission before entering restricted areas. Stick to designated trails and public spaces.

Keep the Environment Clean: Keep the environment clean by properly disposing of any trash or waste you generate during the challenge. Leave no trace behind.

Annotate your observations: Remember to mark observations of non-wild organisms, such as Pets/Animals Zoo or plants in pots, as captive/cultivated on iNaturalist.

Enjoy the Experience: Lastly, don't forget to enjoy the experience! The City Nature Challenge is not just about data collection but also about appreciating and connecting with the natural world around us.

By following these participation guidelines, etiquette, and observing the timeline, participants can contribute meaningfully to the City Nature Challenge while also ensuring their own safety and the well-being of the environment.

Embark on the City Nature Challenge journey, where urban landscapes meld with the untamed wilderness, fostering a harmonious coexistence between city life and the natural world.

Things to carry:

Camera or Smartphone with GPS preferably with pre-installed iNaturalist app for on-the-go identification, binoculars, notebook, field guide, water bottle and light snacks.

Wear protective footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, desirable to carry sun protection, insect repellent, torch and one first aid kit per group.